Tegra 3

Back when we were first learning about the amazing technology in the system-on-chip architecture of the NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor, the term "VSMP" was used to describe the "ninja core" it included. That extra core, the fifth core, also known as the "companion core" is now set to be described in a much more "everyman" term: 4-PLUS-1. What the NVIDIA 4-PLUS-1 quad-core architecture here does is the same thing we described all those weeks ago, it's simply much more clear with a brand new name attached to it.

This week LG Electronics have released information on their first NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor toting smartphone, the LG Optimus 4X HD. This device follows up on the world's first dual-core device, the LG Optimus 2X, and comes with everything from HD video playback to a high efficiency battery. This smartphone has a massive 4.7-inch display, 8.9mm thickness across the whole device, and a super-thin bezel around the screen - and of course, the NVIDIA Tegra 3 1.5GHz quad-core processor.

As we march closer and closer to the biggest all-mobile show of the year all the way over Barcelona, Spain, we've started to see the wave of tips, leaks, and previews roll in - and while our MWC 2012 Smartphone pre-show rundown may have more devices than we know what to do with already, tablets certainly wont be left out in the cold. What we've got for you here is a full rundown of everything we've heard that's worth mentioning on the tablet front - worth mentioning, of course, since there's nothing like a cheapo tablet to ruin your otherwise awesome trip to Spain!

This week we're getting one major influx of tips, previews, and leaks of information on the smartphone wave that's about to be crashing down upon us at Mobile World Congress 2012, and it's time you got a round-up! Everyone from Fujitsu to HTC and back to Nokia will be bringing some powerful combinations to the show, and with more cores, better resolution displays, and perhaps most exciting of all: much higher class cameras as well. This Spain adventure looks to be the best one yet - let's have at it!

There's one gigantically powerful and ultra-enticing smartphone headed for Mobile World Congress from Fujitsu, and it comes with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and an NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor inside, right next to a tablet with no less than the same (minus the camera, of course)! These devices does not yet have a name, but according to Unwired View on the smartphone, they wont be anything to be scoffing at. With the onset of quad-core processors and the regular appearance of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich PLUS the coming of the 12+ megapixel camera on smartphones, have we suddenly decimated the relevance of all other smart devices from years past?

Fujitsu promised us European smartphone flagships for Mobile World Congress next week, and according to the latest rumors we may well be wowed: there's reportedly a 4.6-inch Tegra 3 monster in store. The new Fujitsu will run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich on NVIDIA's quadcore processor, UnwiredView reports, as well as a whopping 13.1-megapixel camera that could potentially overshadow whatever high-resolution cellphone snapper Nokia is expected to unveil.

NVIDIA had already stepped up its challenge to mobile processor stalwarts, with the Tegra 3; now, the company is looking to oust its rivals modems from phones and slates. The new Mimosa X - although unusually high-end for ZTE - is interesting for reasons beyond ZTE flexing its product range: it's the first device on which NVIDIA has revealed its Icera modem tech and, vitally, its rising challenge to Qualcomm, Texas Instruments and others in the smartphone and tablet segment.

This week the folks at ZTE and NVIDIA have announced their first collaboration: a smartphone by the name of Mimosa X, complete with Tegra 2 and an Icera modem. For those of you that don't remember, NVIDIA acquired Icera in mid-2011 and this combination is a first for several reasons. This device has a 4.3-inch display at qHD 960 x 540 pixel resolution screen, Dolby sound, and a launch date inside the second quarter of 2012. And it's going to launch with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

This week we're seeing once more the next generation of ASUS Transformer tablet complete with Android and an NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor inside. This device today has showed up in some benchmark results as its code-name Transformer TF300T. This coincides with the code for the upgrade to the Transformer Prime, that being the Transformer TF700T which we got a glimpse of earlier this year at CES 2012 - now we're looking at a MWC 2012 release for this mystery!

It's a very Mac morning with more updates on the next version of Apple's desktop software than you can possible handle! The next version will be called Apple OS X Mountain Lion and you'll be able to check out our very full guide on it in the post Meet Apple OS X Mountain Lion. Next be sure to check out the brand new Messages for OS X which you can download in beta right this second! Apple is also making some vast privacy changes that could affect 1000s of applications, and Chris Davies has a featured column by the name of Apple Gatekeeper is the Game-Changer - straight from the Mountain Lion's mouth!